A second silver for England's Turnock

AFTER winning a Silver medal at the English Schools Track and Field finals in Sheffield just over a week ago, Steven Turnock, a pupil at South Dartmoor Community College, travelled to Northern Ireland to represent England in the Home Countries Schools International held at the Mary Peters Stadium in Antrim.

Conditions were wet and windy and the Liverton youngster also had to cope with throwing stadium javelins after being told at the airport that his javelin bag was too big to go on the aircraft!

Turnock put all that behind him and managed to throw 58.60m to grab the silver medal.

"I have to be pleased with that throw," said Turnock. "This was the first time I had thrown these javelins and to get a silver medal at my first International competition - and representing England - is a dream come true."

NEWTON Abbot proved too strong for the rest of South Devon's athletic clubs when the best of the area's youngsters gathered to do battle.

The track at Churston Ferrers Grammar school was this year's venue for the Pearson Cup competition, with South Devon AC taking their turn as hosts.

Despite occasional heavy showers which had spectators reaching for their umbrellas, a full programme was completed with track races, high jump, long jump and throws.

Competition was intense, with the young athletes of the host club establishing an early lead.

Newton Abbot, however, imposed themselves during the afternoon and had the trophy secure before the last relay events of the day.

South Devon were a strong second with Dartmouth third and Torbay fourth.

Individual best athletes of the day in their age groups were Rachel Underhay and Liam Hubbard of South Devon; Matthew Birkett of Torbay and Becky Tinkler, Ryan Dobbs and Jess Dobson of Newton Abbot.